Ahead of the G20 summit – which includes a dedicated tourism segment – the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Iata to work together to restart global tourism.
The new agreement will focus on enhancing consumer confidence in travel and placing sustainability at the centre of recovery and future growth.
UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, said: “Air travel is an essential component of global tourism. UNWTO will use our expertise in innovation and our status as a connector of public- and private-sector leaders to help get aviation moving again.”
As well as focusing on building and maintaining confidence in international travel, the new agreement will also see UNWTO and Iata work closely together to foster innovation and promote greater public-private collaboration. As tourism restarts, this MoU will help ensure recovery is sustainable and inclusive.
Iata Director General and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac, added: “The safe opening of international borders to tourism is essential. Tourists want to feel safe, and they want to be confident that their travel plans won’t be affected by last-minute changes to rules and regulations. For this to happen, even greater collaboration between the public and private sectors is needed. This enhanced partnership will help guide aviation’s recovery over the critical months ahead.”
